​July 31, 2022
This year was the first time we did not have a fundraiser pig roast for the Home of Refuge in at least 23 years. It was a hard decision to make but since we usually pay for the food and pig and give all the money that comes in to Home of Refuge, we knew it would not be good stewardship of our finances. The roasting pig is about 6 times the price of last year and almost double from June. Rosa was not able to come and some people will not come if they are not here. So, we prayed and felt like the Lord told us to have a Mission Sunday where we let you know who we support. We plan to start highlighting a missionary each month so you can get to know them better.
 
When we started pastoring this church in 1994, 28 years ago in June, we took over the missionaries and everything that came with this ministry. We weren’t sure what we were doing so just started to pray and hear from God. I had been the treasurer for many years and knew how the missions program worked. The church tithed, gave 10% of offerings, and divided it up unequally between the many missionaries. I would send 1% to a few, 5% to one, 2% to a couple others. Basically, this meant that the missionaries never knew how to plan or what they would be getting from month to month. I continued with the same plan after we were pastors. Then our daughter and son went to a ministry called YWAM. Most missionary ministries have their missionaries raise their own support. This means they have to write letters, speak at churches, or whatever else they knew to do to raise support. They were required to live by faith. Our kids did raise their support but still struggled. One month they may get $40 (that was a lot) or they could get $5. There was no consistency and to top it off most people who committed gave for a month or so and quit. We ended up helping them a lot because people were not faithful to their commitments.
 
I did lots of praying about this situation. I had always wanted to be a missionary so this was near and dear to my heart. I felt like the Lord said to commit to a certain amount and give that every month, regardless of our income. That was challenging but we have done that now for 25 years. In the beginning it was $25/month to 10 missionaries’ month after month. Then we would add some more support each year and add new missionaries year after year. I wanted the missionaries to be able to count on at least a certain amount not matter what. So, this becomes more than a tithe of our offerings. We do not know from week to week what our church offering will be but we do know what we will give. We have done this now for years and we haven’t lost money but the Lord was always faithful. The seeds this church family has planted around the world in the last 28 years is beyond our understanding. We have reaped a harvest of relationships, healed hearts, salvations, educated orphans, and consistent provision for our needs here at Mtn High.
 
My passions are to see lives healed, salvation, children, prayer and missions. I love to give to those who are reaching the world. Most of our missions are based out of the US right now with not too many able to “go ye” as we all once did.  We know most of the missionaries personally and most have been in our home at some point. We know their heart’s passion and they have all been consistent in their ministry for as long as we have supported them. We have them here as often as possible but it is different now. We talk to all we support often, checking in on them and praying for them.
 
The Bible talks about 4 types of giving. The Tithe – Firstfruits – Alms – Seed. Through the years we have learned the importance of giving in each way. There are different results in each type according to the Word. I wasn’t heading this direction but I feel the Lord is telling me to share a bit about these. The Word says “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
The Eteam, leadership, of Mtn High pray and seek the Lord about who to give to. We come into agreement in Him and we are never making a decision out of necessity or grudgingly but delight in doing what the Word says.
 
Tithe - “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 3:8-12
 
Back in 1984 this was the first verse we learned about tithing. I cannot preach on it but some key points. When we give our tithe into the storehouse, the ministry that feeds us, that the blessings are so bountiful that there isn’t room to receive them. Then the enemy is rebuked for our sake. I also understand that all this came with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Many argue that we don’t have to tithe because of Grace and I agree, we don’t have to. Yet, I haven’t always seen these blessings flowing as this verse promises. We know that these blessings are already ours but in obedience to the Word we trust Him with our tithes. We give the tithe, 10% of the church’s tithes to Andrew Wommack Ministries. This is the ministry, storehouse, that is feeding us at this time. This is a huge step of faith that we just started to do in the last year or so, during the lowest point in our offerings. Yet, we have never missed a bill, are able to save and every other ministry has been blessed.
 
Alms – “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given.” Proverbs 19:17 This is when you give to the poor, those in need. This is one of the most common ways of giving. We give to Homes of Refuge and Kenya Children’s Home weekly to help with food and other needs.
 
Firstfruits – “Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 These are special offerings. This is when bring the first part of your “harvest” as a special offering. There is more here than I can explain right now but this is a special offering not a regular giving.
Seed – In Mark 4 it talks about our seed and the results of sowing our seed on different types of soil.  “But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred. And He said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”” Mark 4:8-9 You can read Mark 4:3-9 to see the results of different soils, or different motives, different heart conditions, that seeds are sown into. We believe the rest of the ministries we sow into are ministries that are doing great work around the world and we know that they are good ground to plant into. The results are 30-60-100 fold return on what we give. We can see that return in finances, in lives changed, in blessings that come that we don’t even understand. We see that in your testimonies as you share incredible stories of how the Lord has worked in your lives. Or we see victory in the frontlines that many of these ministries are standing against. We give about $100-125/month to 8 ministries. One is a marriage ministry, one is a ministry on the frontlines of Intercession for our country, one is ministering to Muslims, another to marriages in Russia. I do not have space to explain it all but we will be sharing monthly about each of our missionaries.  I hope this brief explanation helps give you vision to give and you know that this is good ground that goes around the world with the love and grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Thank you for all you give.
 

​July 24, 2022
Can you believe July is almost over? If I think about all that has happened this summer, I can believe it but doesn’t seem we have had the opportunity to just have those lazy dazy days of summer😊. There is so much to do to “make hay while the sun shines” and preparing for the days we can’t be outside as much, so we must intentionally make time to sit and enjoy the sunshine and beauty green world God has created. What a blessing to have the moisture we have had.
 
These last couple weeks were filled to the brim with activities and ministry but I make sure I get up early enough to sit on the porch with my coffee and Jesus. He’s showing me so much and preparing my heart for what is ahead. The last couple years have been mind bogglers and there’s more uncertainties ahead. I think that is plain to everyone who is paying attention. Yet, He is showing me that we can stay in peace and hope through it all. I’m so encouraged when I read His Word and all the answers seem to jump off the page. He’s still with us always and still guiding us as we trust Him and seek Him with all our hearts. It’s been heart breaking to lose another friend here on earth but we know she’s celebrating with Jesus.
 
This week I want to share something I think is powerful. We can all see that the shelves of stores are not as full as we are used to. We all know the attacks on farmers, meat growers, food supply chains are real. I read this prayer from Karen Hardin that blessed me. We can’t look at things from the lack side but from His side. We have the authority to speak to this mountain of lack and see in our hearts and minds the abundance that come from it. We don’t have to accept lack but call-in prosperity for food growers. What a witness of God’s abundance if the plans of the enemy are foiled! The following is from Karen Hardin. As we pray and believe this together, I believe we will see a change in the plan of the enemy!
 
“Dear Friends, There are so many areas in need of prayer right now that it’s hard to focus on just one area. However, as I prayed I felt to focus on the growing projection of food shortages and famine this week. We have seen the mysterious fires targeting food production plants. The culling of livestock by the millions. The shut down of factories producing baby formula and other food sources. And now the prediction that diesel fuel will run out in the next 4-5 weeks which would prevent truckers from getting food to the grocers. There are far too many issues targeting our food supply to be a coincidence.
 
This isn’t just about our nation, but about projected global famine and countries that were already in crisis are already being hit by this intentional famine/food shortage. We need to use wisdom to prepare in the natural even as we pray over this in the spiritual realm:
 Father, You said in times of disaster we would not whither and in times of famine we would have more than enough. We continue to pray over our farmers and our farmland that they will not be diminished or destroyed. We pray for strength and protection for them. Lord, you see the intent to create famine. Even now they prophesy their intent, but we know that You are greater. You are the God who brought daily food to Your people in the wilderness when there was no food or water in the natural. Yet in those harsh conditions you continually provided for them. May we remember that YOU are the creator of all things—-including food. You can provide manna on the ground, quail from the sky or water from a rock because YOU are God.
 
Just as Isaac sowed in the land in a time of famine and received 100-fold return IN THE SAME YEAR, we pray that for our hard-working farmers for huge harvests. We pray over our home gardens that they will flourish. We pray seven-fold restoration for farmers and food manufacturers who have been forced to destroy food or have had it disappear in flames.
 
We pray for the truckers who are dependent on diesel fuel for their livelihood. We have heard warnings that it will run out in a matter of weeks. Lord we pray that the devious attempt to stop the food chain will be foiled. We ask you for supernatural provision for our truckers, for our farmers, for food manufacturers to continue to work and for our nation and around the world for food not famine.
 
We pray that their devious attempts to destroy and create famine will be turned back on their own heads. Where they continue to destroy food, that You would continue to supply it just as you provided food for Your people in the wilderness for forty years. Day-after-day you provided for them and we declare You will provide. Thank you that You have never changed and if it requires manna from heaven to stop their plan, we know that You are well able.
 
You see how they have allowed huge amounts of our farmland to be purchased by foreign countries and billionaires like Bill Gates. Lord we are in no position to stop their actions, but You are. And so we release our prayers to heaven that You would act on behalf of our cries for help to stop this ongoing take over of our farmland intent on hindering food production. Thank you God that nothing they can try to do to destroy us or our nation will succeed because America is YOUR nation. You established it and we declare You are Lord over it. We declare their tyrannical rule will not succeed! Instead expose their evil deeds and works of darkness and bring them to justice.
 
Father we declare that You are the God of more than enough. You supply all of our needs according to Your riches in glory. You’ve told us not to worry about what we shall eat or drink for You are able to provide. So give us wisdom Lord on how to prepare in the natural for any calamity ahead but at the same time to trust You that You are our supply. And as it is in Heaven so it is on earth. If there is more than enough in Heaven, then we declare there will be more than enough for Your children here on earth who are citizens not of this world but of Yours.
 
Lord we pray for those in other countries who were already on the verge of starvation even before this plot to create world-wide famine was launched. Father we pray that You would hear their cry for sustenance. May this be their opportunity to know You. Fill their bellies with food and their hearts and minds with spiritual food. We ask for clean water where they have tainted or no water. You see these mothers who have helplessly watched their children go without food. Father they are Your children as well and we pray on their behalf that the blockades stopping food from being transported will be broken and that the food chain will continue.
 
You said that those who work the land will have abundant food and everything we set our hands to will prosper. We declare that over our farmers and food producers. And what the evil-doers have intended for evil, may it turn hearts to You and bring about revival and transformation of hearts.
 Ps 37:19, Gen 26:12, Obadiah 1:15, Phil 4:19, Matt 6;25, Prov 28:19, Ps 90:17
Standing together, Karen Hardin”
 
Share this prayer with others and continue to stand on His Word and His promises. See yourself, this nation and this world being fed the physical daily bread His promises, even if it falls from heaven. He’s the same yesterday, today and forever and no respecter of persons. We have to believe with all our hearts and speak to the mountain to be removed that is standing before us. “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:12-13
 

July 10, 2022
What a beautiful week this has been! The afternoon rains, the morning sun and the luscious green world. We thank our Creator for all He has given us! I have walked with Him and talked with Him all week long. There is so many different events happening daily in the world we live in. Remember from last week, we are in the world but not of it!:) I want to share a few verses that touched my life this week.
 
The Lord has been speaking to me about living in the Kingdom of God not in the ways of the world. He is showing me how vital it is in this season to know Him, walk with Him, look up and see His ways and not focus on the stuff that is screaming for our attention here on earth. What we see, hear, touch physically isn’t always from Him. There’s another realm in the spirit that so much is happening in that we don’t see. That is what He wants us to focus on – the UNSEEN. What we see in our mind and heart is what we will have. Every single answer you need in your life is in the Word but if we just look with physical eyes and sight it won’t seem to be the answer. Out heart, mind, vision needs to see things the way He says things are. You are always imagining something, so keep your thoughts, imaginations on His truths.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 NJKV
 
You want peace in your life? Here is your answer. Your mind is stayed on Him! Whatever it takes to keep your mind stayed on Him, that is what you do. Read the Word, listen to the Good News Word, listen only to messages that are the true Gospel. Listen to praise and worship, sing out loud and praise His name. Keep your mind stayed on Him. Even if you keep one verse of truth before your eyes and meditating on it in your heart continuously, you will “see” a difference in your heart.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
 
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,  while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV
 
“ For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
 
This last week the Lord took me to Colossians 1 and 2. It was powerful scripture but these verses really stuck out to me.
“In the same way you received Jesus our Lord and Messiah by faith, continue your journey of faith, progressing further into your union with him! Your spiritual roots go deeply into his life as you are continually infused with strength, encouraged in every way. For you are established in the faith you have absorbed and enriched by your devotion to him!  Beware that no one distracts you or intimidates you  in their attempt to lead you away from Christ’s fullness by pretending to be full of wisdom when they’re filled with endless arguments of human logic. For they operate with humanistic and clouded judgments based on the mindset of this world system, and not the anointed truths of the Anointed One.” Colossians 2:6-8 TPT
 
Seems like there are so many disputes about the things happening in the world and especially if we are talking about the Kingdom of God. This verse says don’t let anyone distract you with their endless arguments. That’s powerful! And it is even more powerful when you have to live it! Yesterday I had a situation where someone flat out lied about me/us with the intent of causing division in the family. For months I have tried to get them to at least hear the rest of the story. I have ended up in endless arguments of human logic with them in the past and it is truly humanistic, clouded judgements based on the mindset of this world. It was not worth it. Yesterday I wanted so badly to come back with the truth but knew to keep my mouth shut (finally😊). At that moment I had forgotten about these verses, even though I had just ministered on them but the Lord was faithful to bring them before my eyes this morning. As Ed was praying yesterday about the situation, he heard the Lord say that it was a distraction! Wow! What a confirmation. Thank You, Jesus! Keep your eyes and mind stayed on Him and He is going to show you things you can’t even imagine.
 
The verse below is a powerful verse. Focus on it! Meditate on it! Color it! Frame it! Get it in your heart because it is a powerful truth and promise that you need every day. Enjoy His presence. Soak in His love. Prepare your heart for the great things God has prepared for you!!! He loves you beyond what you can see, hear or imagine! Receive that love, just as you are He receives you. Receive Him.

​July 3, 2022
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!!!  It is a time to celebrate! Celebrate what God ordained and put into place over 200 years ago. Celebrate our freedom!
The word the Lord has given me continuously this week is “Look Up”. Right now, in the world there are so many unanswered questions and situations that seem beyond what we can imagine. We hear the good, the bad and the really ugly. All eyes are on the news and we are waiting for a ticking bomb to explode. The enemy lost this last week in a couple of areas and he is upset. Everything seems turned upside down in the world but we live in His Kingdom. Since we asked Him to be the Lord of our lives, we aren’t of the world. We live in the world but the world isn’t to live in us. Jesus, came to earth as a man to live for 33 years. He was fully man, tempted in every way and He lived in the world but the world did not affect His relationship with His Father. The world did not live in Him. That is how it is to be with us. We are looking up to our Father continuously and not at the things of the world.
When there wasn’t enough food to feed the people, Jesus looked up to His Father and the food was multiplied. We can do that too and may get the opportunity when food becomes scarce. We must be alert, on guard, paying attention! We can’t be looking down at the ground in fear, discouragement, hopelessness. Have you ever seen a person in depression, anguish, fear, stand straight and tall with their head up high?
There are some things that touch our lives as much as anyone since we are in the world.
We are in the world but instead of complaining about the gas and fuel prices, thank Him that He is supplying all your needs. Instead of getting in fear that there won’t be enough food, ask Him to show you what to store up and expect it to multiply! We are to be the shining Light when we are in the store or at the gas pumps! See yourself so healthy you don’t need a go to doctors. See your car in perfect working order so it doesn’t need repair but if it does, see that money supplied by your Father. He promises to supply our needs, take care of us, give us our heart’s desires. Does it say He will do these things except when there is a world crisis, then you will be the same as the world because I won’t have any power? Of course not, but that’s how we talk.
We have gotten caught up in the complaining department. I have said several times in the last couple months, “That caught me off guard”. Something happens in our lives that I never saw or expected to happen and I’m in shock. Must have had my head down. He promises to warn us but it is up to us to listen. He gives us ALL the answers and guides us in ALL things. The answer to the issues today is to see things from His perspective and not the worlds. You don’t have to go to Bible school to know the Word of God. It is alive to all of us who know Him. One verse that you meditate on hourly, daily can bring His perspective alive in your heart. We have to expect His power to work in our lives. He’s not holding back anything from us. We are not looking up to see what He has given us and receiving it.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
 
“Everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us by his divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing him who has called us by name and invited us to come to him through a glorious manifestation of his goodness.  As a result of this, he has given you  magnificent promises  that are beyond all price, so that through the power of these tremendous promises  we can experience partnership  with the divine nature, by which you have escaped  the corrupt desires that are of the world.” 2 Peter 1:3-4
 
We hear the warnings that things will get worse, more chaos, more fear, more confusion than we have already seen in the last couple years. I do think that we will see the reaping of the seeds that have been sown in the last few years by our country’s controllers. I can’t call them leaders as they are not leading – they are controlling because we let them. That’s another sermon😊. The Lord showed me the other day that we are already walking above those things. Yes, there will be many MORE hard things touch lives and that the world will wallow in, but we have just gone through 2 years of confusion and we are still smiling, still full of peace, joy and hope. We are still going forward in His love. The world is hurting so much and hopeless but we aren’t in the same anguish as they are. We are already experiencing living above the circumstances and we will continue to.
 
“God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble— more than enough and always available whenever I need you. So we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea. For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves cannot erode our faith in you. Pause in his presence” Psalm 46:1-3
 
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17
 
Weapons are formed against us, against the world. This isn’t just a people game we are caught up in but we wrestling against the wiles of the devil, against powers and rulers of darkness. The enemy knows he has lost but he wants to take as many souls with him as he can. He is evil beyond our greatest imagination. He is real but he has no control over us unless we give it to him. We give him authority in our lives when we don’t believe the love and power of Jesus. When we doubt the Word of God, compromise the Word of God. Get into fear, you are believing a lie from the enemy.
 
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12
 
This verse says EVERY tongue, word, that rises against us, that comes against what the Word of God says WE are to condemn. We are to take authority over everything contrary to our life in Jesus Christ. This is our heritage. Or this is our inheritance to be able to rise against the lies of the enemy or our birthright now that we are born again into the family of Jesus. We have a choice to make – through His power in us – to condemn the tongue that rises against us or let the weapon formed against us succeed. The poison of “God is in control” and He hasn’t given us any choices except salvation is destroying people. They are waiting for Him to take away the enemy. They are waiting for Him to change their thoughts or take away the thoughts. Through Him, His power that is in us as Believers, we have the birthright to make the choices He is given to us. There is an action that goes with our inheritance, it’s not works but an action of going forward in His power to live in the Kingdom of God not the world’s kingdom.
The most powerful action you can take at this time is to live in His Word. Read Psalm 23 or Psalm 91 daily. Those 2 chapters are so powerful and see in your heart living what it is saying. Let’s continue to come together and encourage one another in the Word in these days. See yourself healed, prospering when there is no money, feeding your neighbors when food is scarce. As you see yourself in your mind is how your life will be. See yourself condemning the weapons formed against you. See yourself alive in Him and victorious no matter what is happening around you. That is who we are in Him and how exciting to see His power work through us in these trying times!!  Continue to look up, you will see Him!
Here's another promise from Him, “But in the depths of my heart I truly know that you, Yahweh, have become my Shield; You take me and surround me with yourself. Your glory covers me continually. You lift high my head.” Psalm 3:3
 

​June 26, 2022
Wow! It’s hard to believe that July is just around the corner. Seems like June just started. It was a full month of June. Lots of ministry opportunities. Our FMN World Conference was perfect. Very relaxed, lots of fellowship, amazing praise and worship, anointed messages. I believe everyone who was here went home with something new, deep, and life changing.
 
Then we went straight into the Evergreen Rodeo and parade. David Hinton and Monte were a part of the events, Cowboy church and rodeo. The rodeo sold out both days and had record numbers and they all had the blessing of hearing God’s Word in a song. They even rode in the parade with us on the float. What a fun time.
 
Now we are headed to 2 pigs roasts in July, the fair and celebrating our country’s birthday! Our country needs a celebration. We need to be thanking the Lord for all the blessings of our freedom in this wonderful United States. But that is not what people are doing or focusing on. It’s a sad situation. It’s actually beyond sad, it’s evil. I have prayed and sought the Lord in what, when and where are we to be doing personally and as a church body. We hear a lot of different perspectives and opinions. I want nothing less than His perspective at this point. This is not something I want to try to figure out myself or head off head strong in my own ways.
 
The Lord has opened up His Word to me with some powerful verses that when I read them, they made sense😊 Sometimes I don’t understand every verse or how it applies to life right now. But lately He has given me verses and maybe because I am asking, seeking and knocking, my eyes and ears seem to hear and see more clearly. So today, I am going to share a lot of the Word and explain a bit as I go about what it is saying to me. All the scriptures I am using today are from The Passion Translation. Here we go.
 
“But we thank God for giving us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. So now, beloved ones, stand firm, stable, and enduring. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
He is telling HOW to prosper and excel in EVERY season, stand firm, stable, and enduring. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence and by serving the Lord! That’s something to meditate on. By serving the Lord you will prosper and excel in every season. This is a season you want to be sure you are prospering, always have His possessions in abundance, and excel!!
 
“Since we are approaching the end of all things, be intentional, purposeful, and self-controlled so that you can be given to prayer.  Above all, constantly echo God’s intense love for one another, for love will be a canopy over a multitude of sins. Be compassionate to foreigners without complaining. Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many-colored tapestry of God’s grace. For example, if you have a speaking gift, speak as though God were speaking his words through you.  If you have the gift of serving, do it passionately with the strength God gives you, so that in everything God alone will be glorified through Jesus Christ. For to him belong the power and the glory forever throughout all ages! Amen.” 1 Peter 4:7-11
Above all ECHO, say the same thing as God, His intense love for one another.
 
Beloved friends, if life gets extremely difficult, with many tests, don’t be bewildered as though something strange were overwhelming you. Instead, continue to rejoice, for you, in a measure, have shared in the sufferings of the Anointed One so that you can share in the revelation of his glory and celebrate with even greater gladness! If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are greatly blessed, because the Spirit of glory and power, who is the Spirit of God, rests upon you. If you suffer for being a Christian, don’t consider it a disgrace but a privilege. Glorify God because you carry the Anointed One’s name.  For the time is ripe for judgment to begin in God’s own household. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who refuse to obey the gospel of God? If the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the wicked and godless? So then, those who suffer for following God’s will should enfold their lives into the Creator, who will never fail them, and continue to always do what is right.” 1 Peter 4:12-19
These verses say so much but basically, if you are persecuted for being a Christian, a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are blessed, privileged, and need to continue to rejoice!!! That is our word for this season that He says to listen to and not turn a deaf ear to!
 
“If you bow low in God’s awesome presence, he will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in his hands. Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour. Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure. And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up. And he has all the power needed to do this —forever!  Amen.” 1 Peter 5:6-12
Humble yourself in His presence, give Him all your worries, be well balanced and ALERT, take a decisive stand and He WILL restore you and make you stronger than ever!
 
“Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let your joy overflow!” Philippians 4:4 
Again, in EVERY season of life rejoice, stand firm, stable, and enduring!
 
“Come on, everyone! Let’s sing for joy to the Lord. Let’s shout our loudest praises to our God who saved us! Everyone come meet his face with a thankful heart. Don’t hold back your praises; make him great by your shouts of joy! For the Lord is the greatest of all, King-God over all other gods!” Psalm 95:1-3
Psalm 95 starts out with praising the Lord in everything. Don’t hold back your praises and thankfulness. Shout for joy.
 
“For we are those he cares for, and he is the God we worship. So drop everything else and listen to his voice! For this is what he’s saying: “Today, when I speak, don’t even think about turning a deaf ear to me like they did when they tested me at Meribah and Massah, the place where they argued with me, their Creator. Your ancestors challenged me over and over with their complaining, even though I had convinced them of my power and love. They still doubted my care for them.” Psalm 95:7-9
But by the end of the chapter, we see a truth. The people, the Israelites, started out praising Him and thankful but……
 
This is where I am going to end today. This is what we need to meditate on. I have showed you just a drop in the bucket some verses that show His will and desire for us. These verses give us direction, wisdom, encouragement, warnings and the way to ALWAYS prosper and excel. Let’s  
drop everything else and listen to his voice! Let’s not be like the Israelites or people today, Believers and non-Believers, who start complaining. This part breaks my heart because I have done this. “Even though I had convinced them of my power and love. They still doubted my care for them.” Sigh. Let’s stand and believe together, love one another and echo His love!